wine ; dark

yes, the diner was far from luxurious but it was comforting. in a way, it reminded him of his older brother, ethan, the man treating wesley out when they were younger. the memories flood his mind and before he’s lost, lola manages to snap him out of it - the blonde blinking as his cheeks grew hot. did she just? a kiss? he blinks a few times, catching that smile of hers - the one that made his heart flutter throughout the class. did lola like him? or, was she being nice? the blonde shakes his head, hoping to push those thoughts out of his mind before she came back. he leans back, doing his best to remain composed, his hand running along his bare chest as he can’t help but watch her.  “huh?” he blinks, lips pursing before he offers her a sweet smile. “no, i’m uh…here by myself. i have some time off from school and i wanted to get out of new york, so i figured i’d come here,” he speaks softly, mimicking her body language by leaning forward, knuckles tapping against the vinyl before fingers touch a few of her own. “what about you? your accent tells me you’re not a california native, so what brought you here?”

her touch was electrifying - leaving him breathless while keeping him levelheaded, as if that made any sense! the feeling is overwhelming and it only brings him back to his childhood, when a young wesley had asked how his parents had fallen in-love - mel gushing about the emotions she’d felt - wesley couldn’t help but wonder if this was the same? perhaps he was being too optimistic. a deep blush fills his cheeks as her gaze lingers - the blonde not having the heart to tell her he’d forgotten a shirt, more so he’s embarrassed he left one at his hotel. the restaurant was cute -  certainly far from he luxury he’s used to back in new york. her words bring him out of his thoughts, the blonde settling his gaze on her - watching how her long copper hair blew with the wind before he shifts his hues down to her lip. “a wobble?” he huffs, pushing his lower lip into a pout before he releases a soft laugh. “there may have been a wobble but at least i remembered all the basics you taught me, you’re a great teacher, lola…” wesley sighs, taking a moment to study her features - she was beautiful. “you know, you’re the first person to show some hospitality since I’ve been here,” he smiles, finally breaking his gaze as he studies the menu - yes, this restaurant was certainly different. “hmm…suppose i could go for a bacon burger, fries and uh…oh! they have milkshakes! i want a chocolate one! you might regret treating me, i have a blackhole for a stomach.”  

it was totally beginners luck and yet, wesley had hoped that lola would be proud of him. while he’d only just met the woman, wes couldn’t help but feel connected to her in some way and hopefully, she’d feel the same. he stands tall, his smile wide and bright as he can’t help but stare at her. “mm, i bet you were,” he teases, sticking his tongue out before it moves along his lower lip. the teasing chants caused his cheeks to turn pink, his blue hues shifting elsewhere for a brief moment. without a second thought, wesley follows her - utilizing this moment to take in every inch of her, noting the mole underneath her cheek. he grabs his backpack, slipping it on before adjusting the straps - wesley hadn’t packed a shirt, the blonde not thinking he’d stay so long after his lesson. “a drink with you?” wesley muses, pursing his lips as he attempts to fight off a smile though fails. “how can i say no? though can it be somewhere that also serves food? all that surfing has made me hungry.”

from the way lola was reacting, it would seem that this guy was NOT her boyfriend. either chad was obsessed with her or not over their breakup. no matter, it wasn’t any of his business nor did he really care - though chad’s pestering was starting to irritate him. those honey hues meet his blue and almost instantly, it felt as if the two teens were alone - chad already a second thought. “don’t worry - i was taught by the best,” the words flow out of his mouth as he reaches for his board, the wax still slick as he follows chad to the water - a surge of confidence filling his entire being. wesley can hear the kids from his class begging their parents to stay and watch, soon cheering him on as he paddled towards a wave chad had pointed out. lola’s lesson only repeats in his mind as he takes the steps, standing tall on his board as he rode the waves, watching chad fumble and fall into the water - the blonde realizing he must’ve forgotten to wax his board. wesley laughs, keeping his form tight as the wave comes to an end - the blonde straddling the board and making his way back to the shore and to his surprise, a small crowd of people. ‘you did it, blondie!’ the rude boy from earlier shouts as he throws up the shaka sign. wesley smiles, returning it to him before he sets his board aside and makes his way to lola. “maybe i don’t need to come to class tomorrow,” he teases, sinking his teeth into his lower lip.

it’d been a long time since wesley had that much fun - his days typically consisting of school, sports, private tutors and repeat. it was refreshing to do something different, something out of his comfort zone and he didn’t want it to end - but it does, the blonde pouting though it doesn’t last long once he feel her soft hand slip into his own. the affection causes his cheeks to burn hot and while he tries not to think about it, wesley occupying himself by making sure his board followed them to shore, he couldn’t help but give her hand a squeeze. “uh, you really think so?” he muses, shoving the end of his board into the sand before stroking the the flesh she’d punched. was that her way of flirting? he hasn’t experienced that since middle school. “well-” he begins though is cut off, the blonde turning his head towards the mysterious male. ‘lola, who is this guy? and why is he here?’ the shorter male piped up. “not that it’s any of your business, but i was taking lessons from the best instructor,” wesley mused, shifting his gaze towards lola and offering a sweet smile. it’s the poke to his bare chest that brings his attention back, the blonde noting just how irritated this man was. was he lola’s boyfriend? ‘you trying to get sweet with my woman? you think you’re better than me? cmon, you and me, let’s see who’s the better surfer for lola,’ chad hissed between his teeth. wesley found it all to be a drag, getting into unnecessary drama - he’s not even sure what he did. “don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic? besides, i don’t even have a wetsuit and apparently that’s essential…right lola?” 

it’s so embarrassing to admit that he’d never surf before, but the lady on the phone had insisted on him joining the children’s class over and an adult - the latter having individuals with somewhat experience. however, he’s sure if he had a chance to explain, it’d be less embarrassing. besides, no one dared to swim in the hudson river - that was asking for an infection. “i know how to swim,” he whispers, lips pushing out into a pout though it doesn’t last long as he finds himself fixated on her smile - something that would lodge itself into his memory, the blonde thinking about it late at night as he waits for the next lesson. he looks down at his outfit, a pair of swim trunks, before looking to the kids - realizing then that they all had wetsuits on. no one had told him to get one, which only made him stick out like a sore thumb. he laughs, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck before giving a small squeeze. “yeah, sure…just tell me where to go and i’ll be more prepared tomorrow, i promise,” he returns, his blonde curls loosening due to her splash. her smile never fades though and he wonders if she was always like this - happy. wesley barely knows her and yet, he can’t help but feel as if she were content with who and what she did - that rarely came across back in the big city.  “i’m wesley but uh…you can call me wes,” he smiles, “and i think i’m ready…i’m not too sure what to do but if the kids can do it then so can i!”